Met Office Issues Ice and Snow Warning

People have been told to prepare for cold weather as ice and snow are set to hit the United Kingdom.

On Friday night, the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for ice in some parts of the United Kingdom and Public Health England has informed people to take precautions as temperatures are set to drop.

Snow is predicted to fall overnight, largely on higher ground, with a maximum of 5cm of snow possible in some areas that are over 300m.

The said weather warning, which is in place from 5pm on Friday to 10 am on Saturday, has been announced for Northern Ireland and some parts of Wales and Scotland as well as the north of England, the West Midlands, and Yorkshire.

The forecaster stated: “A band of rain, sleet and snow showers will move from the North West to South East across the yellow area through Friday, clearing during the early hours of Saturday, followed by further wintry showers.

“Icy patches are likely to form on untreated surfaces as temperatures fall.”

Public Health England warned people to be prepared ahead of the cold weather, with temperatures anticipated to fall below 2C in some areas prior to Saturday.

Dr Thomas Waite, of the Public Health England’s Extreme Events team, stated: “We’re well used to winter in this country, so most people know what to do to protect their health before and during cold spells.

“But there are people who may not take precautions and who are at a very real risk.

“We know that every winter thousands of people fall ill and many die because of exposure to cold both in the home and while outdoors.

“Those most at risk include older people, very young children and those with conditions like heart and lung disease.

“That’s why every cold season we urge people to look out for family, friends and neighbours who may be at risk.

“Ask yourself if you could check on a neighbour to see if there’s anything they need?”

The Met Office’s chief operational meteorologist, Paul Gundersen, stated: “Colder air has now reached most parts of England, with temperatures expected to fall further by Saturday, when the cold will be accentuated by strengthening winds.”

The figures that were released earlier this week revealed that there were over 34,000 “excess deaths” across Wales and England over the last winter period, the second highest level in eight years.

The Office for National Statistics stated that the increase was likely because of a “predominant strain of flu prevalent during the 2016 to 2017 winter”.

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